Cashback for Communities is a scheme whereby money seized from under the Proceeds of Crime Act is invested in communities in projects designed to benefit young people. The scheme is aimed at keeping boys and girls off the streets on a Saturday night thus looking at reducing crime and anti – social behaviour.

One such project is the 5- side community football development Midnight League in Dingwall at the Highland Football Academy’s indoor facility and Highland Football Academy’s Charleston artificial pitch on Saturday evenings from 7pm to 9pm. Players can turn up on their own or come as a team starting this Saturday 7th February. At the end of the ten-week programme a team will be selected to represent the area in a finals day where every Local Authority will be in attendance. The age groups are U-14s and U-16s for boys and girls.

Peter Budge, S.F.A/ Highland Football Academy Development Officer has been working along with other partners in youth diversion i.e. - Highland Council, Youth Workers, Action for Children and the Police to actively engage young people. Our partners would also provide health education on certain evenings on issues such as alcohol and drug misuse.

Peter says “Cashback for Communities, Midnight League is an excellent opportunity for young people to be involved in an activity on a Saturday evening, with qualified coaches, free of charge. The social interaction, getting together, playing games could also lead to an active lifestyle, learning good habits, being involved in an activity which would benefit not only the individual but also the community at large”

I would also like to thank Dingwall Boys Club for their valuable assistance in organising this programme.

If the Midnight League is a success then there will be the opportunity to run the programme again next year. If there are any enquires then please contact Peter Budge on 01348863399 or 07795564834